Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2009 Chevrolet Impala: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Impala years.
824 owner complaints, most about air bags. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Impala?The 2009 Chevrolet Impala has 824 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2009 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Chevrolet Impala vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Impala years only. How we score it
Is 2009 a good year for the Impala?
Across the 23 Impala model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (1999) to 1,683 (2016). With 824 complaints, the 2009 Impala sits above the model's median of 609.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2009 Impala
air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Campaign 16V507000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 25, 2008 through February 16, 2010. The front passenger seat frame may contact and damage the wires of the passenger presence sensor module.
electrical system:ignition
Campaign 14V355000This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Campaign 12V377000General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Chevrolet Impala police vehicles because the front lower control arms may fracture. This safety recall does not include non-police Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
seat belts:front:anchorage
Campaign 10V480000GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET IMPALAS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE FRONT SAFETY BELT WEBBING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY SECURED TO THE LAP BELT ANCHOR PRETENSIONER MOUNTED TO THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR.
Show 1 more recall
air bags:frontal
Campaign 08V517000GM IS RECALLING 79 MY 2009 CHEVROLET IMPALA VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG INFLATOR THAT COULD FRACTURE AT AN INFLATOR TUBE DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
What owners say across generations
Owner sentiment is highly fragmented across generations, with no single dominant consensus. For classic models (1959, 1963, 1994-1996 SS), sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, centered on iconic styling, collectibility, and performance (e.g., 409 V8, LT1 V8).
Owner insights cover all generations of the Impala. See the full Impala owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Impala listings typically run $10,875–$16,744 across 1996 to 2020 model years.
Other Impala model years
Compare every Impala year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Impala against its rivals
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